He will not play in New Zealand against Wellington this weekend but is in line to be given the nod the following week.

"He got an injury deep in his calf," Cole said.

"He's had a week off now and is responding really well."

"Ernie should have some selection problems come the Newcastle game."

Meanwhile, Grant Brebner's extended stint on the sidelines could be over. The Scot is tipped to make an appearance off the bench against the Phoenix, his first in the A-League since the middle of the 2007-08 campaign.